As a southerner of the catholic/gaelic/nationalist tradition, but more importantly, as a human being, I am appalled at the suffering in the North.The bitterness towards the tradition (my tradition)that spawned the murderers of people is understandable. However, I think the cause would be better served by the bare statement of the facts. These are horrific enough in themselves . But to be honest, the political commentary and invective on this website will give many people of my tradition the EXCUSE to ignore the underlying fact i.e. that our tradition caused young men to go forth and commit heineous acts against our neighbours in the name of 'Ireland'. I think it important to admit that we have sinned, and I can say this for my tradition and that this at last is a pretty prevalent opinion south of the border. Perhaps the Ulster Protestant/Unionist tradition may not always have interacted with the other tradition in an exemplary manner, but that is not for me to say. We first need to look at the beam in our own eye. Despite the 'peace process', what strikes me when I watch any political debate on BBC NI is the total inability of politicians to address themselves or speak to the people on the other side. What has Adams had to say lately to the unionist people, or what has Paisley (ever) had to say to mine? At the end of the day, we (i.e. the two traditions) have to find a way to live with each other, and this means speaking to (not preaching at) one another. Let's try to speak to each other and find the common ground of which there is a lot. It's people of my tradition, NOT the unionist tradition who need to hear.